Cafe 21 Re-visit (University Heights)

I believe I mentioned this before, but I love Cafe 21. It is in my top top lists of breakfast lunch places to go in San Diego. I love everything about this place. I love the staff, the owner, the vibe, the decor, the furniture, the drinks and of course the food. They make you feel comfortable there and care about your experience. I couldn’t ask for anything more.


This time I stopped by for a quick bite and i tried the curry crab cakes. I never had these before and the waiter recommended it so who am I to deny him the satisfaction. It came out and I honestly thought it would be bigger for some reason. Elegantly defined and scrumptiously displayed I was ready to destroy this work of art. The curry wasn’t what I expected. It had more kick to it and tang than I had prepared myself for. The saffron sauce that accompanied it was nice. I must have missed the havarti cheese as I couldn’t differentiate that from the other bold flavors vying for my attention. At first I wasn’t a fan of the red onions until I realized that they helped keep my palate even and ready to take on the next delicious bite.


And the egg. I always watch food on television and notice how the chefs have a hard time cooking an egg perfectly. This poached egg was a little overdone and could have been more runny but I didn’t mind it in this case. I had a lot of other sauces and liquids running around my plate so it was welcomed to have it stay in one place this time around. All in all I enjoyed this dish. Not my favorite on the menu but I would venture to try the shrimp corn cakes next time. I did mention the portion size initially and I do want to point out that I was stuffed after eating the last bite. It was deceptively filling and I did not expect it. I left Cafe 21 as satisfied as I came in. You go Cafe 21.

Cafe 21
2736 Adams Ave
San Diego, CA 92116

Cafe 21 on Urbanspoon

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About Darren

Fooood! I love it if you can't tell already. I love everything about it. The taste, the smell, the look, the feel, the satisfaction, the gratification, and ultimately: the fun! I've been in San Diego for about 10 years now and it amazes me that there are still places to uncover. Traveling, eating, and taking pictures of food has always been a hobby of mine. So naturally Michael and I thought it made sense to share what we found with all of you. I tend to side with the savory but never shy away from a knock out dessert. If you have a place you think we haven't tried let us know! We're always on the lookout...

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